Naval Academy

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Midshipman 4th Class Andrew Craig, 19, of Tulsa, Okla., replaces a first year's Naval Academy "dixie cup" hat with an upperclassman's hat as the plebes finish the traditional Herndon Monument climb in two hours and ten minutes, Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 22, 2012. The tradition, dating back to 1940, is the culmination of the first year in the Naval Academy where the plebe class has to help each other climb the obelisk covered in lard. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Naval Academy first year plebes participate in the traditional Herndon Monument climb, Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 22, 2012. The (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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A first year Naval Academy plebe grimaces during the the traditional Herndon Monument climb which was completed in two hours and ten minutes, Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 22, 2012. The tradition, dating back to 1940, is the culmination of the first year in the Naval Academy where the plebe class has to help each other climb the obelisk covered in lard, remove the "dixie cup" hat at the top and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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First year Naval Academy plebes participate in the traditional Herndon Monument climb which marks the culmination of their first year, Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 22, 2012. The tradition, dating back to 1940, involves the entire plebe class working with each other to climb the obelisk covered in lard, remove the "dixie cup" hat at the top and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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First year Naval Academy plebes fight to hold themselves up on the Herndon Monument during the traditional climb which marks the culmination of their first year, Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 22, 2012. The tradition, dating back to 1940, involves the entire plebe class working with each other to climb the obelisk covered in lard, remove the "dixie cup" hat at the top and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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On lookers watch as first year Naval Academy plebes participate in the traditional Herndon Monument climb which marks the culmination of their first year, Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 22, 2012. The tradition, dating back to 1940, involves the entire plebe class working with each other to climb the obelisk covered in lard, remove the "dixie cup" hat at the top and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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First year Naval Academy plebes work to finish the traditional Herndon Monument climb in two hours and ten minutes, Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 22, 2012. The tradition, dating back to 1940, is the culmination of the first year in the Naval Academy where the plebe class has to help each other climb the obelisk covered in lard, remove the "dixie cup" hat at the top and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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A first year Naval Academy plebe uses a shirt to try to knock the "dixie cup" hat off the top of the Herndon Monument during the plebes traditional climb which marks the culmination of their first year, Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 22, 2012. The tradition, dating back to 1940, involves the entire plebe class working with each other to climb the obelisk covered in lard, remove the "dixie cup" hat at the top and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Naval Academy first year plebes participate in the traditional Herndon Monument climb, Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 22, 2012. The (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Malachi Leary, 8, of Wooster, Mass., right, sporting Navy colors, watches as his sister, a first year Naval Academy plebe, participates along with her classmates in the traditional Herndon Monument climb, Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 22, 2012. The tradition, dating back to 1940, is the culmination of the first year in the Naval Academy where the plebe class has to help each other climb the obelisk covered in lard, remove the "dixie cup" hat at the top and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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First year Naval Academy plebes participate in the traditional Herndon Monument climb which marks the culmination of their first year, Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 22, 2012. The tradition, dating back to 1940, involves the entire plebe class working with each other to climb the obelisk covered in lard, remove the "dixie cup" hat at the top and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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First year Naval Academy plebes begin the Herndon Monument to begin the traditional climb which marks the culmination of their first year, Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 22, 2012. The tradition, dating back to 1940, involves the entire plebe class working with each other to climb the obelisk covered in lard, remove the "dixie cup" hat at the top and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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First year Naval Academy plebes begin the Herndon Monument to begin the traditional climb which marks the culmination of their first year, Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 22, 2012. The tradition, dating back to 1940, involves the entire plebe class working with each other to climb the obelisk covered in lard, remove the "dixie cup" hat at the top and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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First year Naval Academy plebes finish the traditional Herndon Monument climb in two hours and ten minutes, Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 22, 2012. The tradition, dating back to 1940, is the culmination of the first year in the Naval Academy where the plebe class has to help each other climb the obelisk covered in lard, remove the "dixie cup" hat at the top and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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First year Naval Academy plebes charge to the Herndon Monument to begin the traditional climb which marks the culmination of their first year, Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 22, 2012. The tradition, dating back to 1940, involves the entire plebe class working with each other to climb the obelisk covered in lard, remove the "dixie cup" hat at the top and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Lard covers the Herndon Monument before first year Naval Academy plebes begin the traditional culmination of their first year in the academy, Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 22, 2012. The tradition, dating back to 1940, is the culmination of the first year in the Naval Academy where the plebe class has to help each other climb the obelisk covered in lard, remove the "dixie cup" hat at the top and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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First year Naval Academy plebes finish the traditional Herndon Monument climb in two hours and ten minutes, Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 22, 2012. The tradition, dating back to 1940, is the culmination of the first year in the Naval Academy where the plebe class has to help each other climb the obelisk covered in lard, remove the "dixie cup" hat at the top and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)